Exodus 5:3

And they said, The God of the Hebrewes hath met with vs: let vs goe, we pray thee, three dayes iourney into the desert, and sacrifice vnto the Lord our God, lest hee fall vpon vs with pestilence, or with the sword. Exodus 5:3 (KJV)

The book of Exodus records the Israelites’ bondage in Egypt and God’s promise to deliver them to the Promised Land. Exodus 5 opens the confrontation between Moses, Aaron and Pharaoh. After years of harsh oppression, Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh on behalf of the people, asking permission to go into the wilderness to worship the God who has revealed Himself to them. The Israelites declare, “The God of the Hebrews hath met with us,” acknowledging that their desire to worship is a response to God’s personal encounter and intervention in their lives.

Their request is specific: a three‑day journey into the desert so that they may offer sacrifices to the LORD. The length of the journey underscores their commitment to set aside a dedicated period for worship, away from the oppressive environment of Egypt, and to devote that time wholly to God. Implicit in the plea is a fear of divine judgment; they warn that if they are denied the opportunity to sacrifice, God might bring pestilence or the sword upon them. This reflects a deep awareness of God’s sovereignty and the seriousness with which the Israelites regard obedience and reverence.

The verse therefore sets the stage for the escalating conflict that follows. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, and he refuses the request, fearing that the Israelites’ worship might invoke God’s power against Egypt. The tension between the Israelites’ earnest desire to worship and Pharaoh’s obstinate resistance leads to the series of signs and plagues that demonstrate God’s might and ultimately bring about the liberation of His people. Exodus 5:3 thus highlights both the Israelites’ devotion and the looming divine judgment that motivates God’s deliverance plan, preparing the reader for the miraculous events that will unfold as the narrative progresses.